Ski length size chart by height for adults and kids (+ size guide included)
This post was last updated on March 30th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Choosing the right ski size is based on the basic choice of which ski length is right for you. The choice in ski length size is mainly influenced by your level of experience, the style of skiing, the type of underground you plan to ski, and your height.
Looking for ski boot size charts, gloves sizing, ski pole sizes, skiing socks sizes, or helmet sizing? All are handled at size-charts.com
Ski Size Length table of content
- ski sizing chart
- when to size up or down with ski sizes
- Children ski length size chart
- Choosing ski length by level of skiing
- Related ski size charts
Ski Sizing Chart
Skier Height (ft) | Skier Height (cm) | Suggested Ski Lengths (cm) | Shop Ski Lengths |
---|---|---|---|
4’4″ | 132 | 115-130 | 130-139 |
4’6″ | 137 | 125-140 | |
4’8″ | 142 | 130-145 | 140-149 |
4’10” | 147 | 135-150 | |
5 | 152 | 135-155 | 150-159 |
5’2″ | 158 | 145-165 | |
5’4″ | 163 | 150-170 | 160-169 |
5’6″ | 168 | 155-175 | |
5’8″ | 173 | 160-180 | 170-179 |
5’10” | 178 | 165-185 | |
6′ | 183 | 170-190 | 180-189 |
6’2″ | 188 | 175-195 | |
6’4″ | 193 | 180-200 | 190-199 |
When to Size Up or Size Down Your Skis?
Go shorter in ski length, close to your chin when:
• You are a beginner-intermediate level skier
• You prefer making shorter/quicker turns
• You are looking for a carving ski
Go longer in ski length, close to the top of your head when:
• You are an advanced-expert level skier
• You like skiing fast and making longer turns • You mostly ski off trial
• You are looking at a ski with a lot of rockers
Children ski length size chart
How to measure your childs’ ski length size?
Follow these simple steps to make the right selection:
- Determine your child’s height and weight.
- Find your child’s height on the below chart.
- If your child’s height is between two of the listed heights, find their weight and proceed as follows:
- If your child is light for their height, use the shorter height. (This will result in a shorter ski recommendation)
- If your child is heavy for their height, use the taller height. (This will result in a longer ski recommendation)
- Once the correct height has been determined, follow that row across to the suggested ski length column.
- Within the suggested ski length range there are several reasons to size up or down. See below chart
Kids Ski Size Chart
Age (yrs) | Height (in) | Height (cm) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) | Ski Length (cm) |
3 | 37 | 94 | 34 | 14 | 70-80 |
4 | 40 | 102 | 37 | 16 | 80-90 |
5 | 43 | 109 | 42 | 18 | 90-100 |
6 | 45 | 114 | 46 | 21 | 95-105 |
7 | 47 | 119 | 50 | 23 | 100-110 |
8 | 50 | 127 | 57 | 26 | 110-120 |
9 | 53 | 135 | 63 | 29 | 115-125 |
10 | 55 | 140 | 70 | 32 | 120-130 |
11 | 57 | 145 | 79 | 36 | 130-140 |
12 | 59 | 149 | 89 | 41 | 135-145 |
13 | 61 | 156 | 100 | 46 | 140-150 |
14 | 65 | 164 | 112 | 51 | 150-160 |
What if my child is in between the heights listed on the size chart?
Your child might be between two of the heights listed; in that case, find their weight on the chart. If they are light for their height, you’re going to size a ski to the shorter height, and therefore will end up with shorter skis. If they are heavy for their height, you’ll go off the taller height and end up with longer skis.
Reasons to size kids’ skis shorter, closer to the chest:
– They are a beginner or cautious skier
– Their weight is lighter than average for their height.
– They like to make short quick turns and ride at slower speeds.
Reasons to size kids’ skis longer, closer to the nose:
– They are skiing fast and aggressively
– They weigh more than average for their height.
– You want to purchase a ski with room to grow. Children grow fast and there are boots and outerwear designed to accommodate this, however, we do not recommend sizing their skis much bigger than the recommended range.
Ski sizing: Waist Width
The waist width is an important specification, next to the ski length size.
The width is the measurement of a ski’s width at the middle (waist) of the ski, (the narrowest point). Waist width has an effect on how easy the ski is to turn, and how it will handle powder and non-powder snow. A narrow waist width will make the skis turn fast during turns, while a wide waist width provides better grip in powder and choppy snow.
- <95 mm
Skis with a waist width under 95 mm are meant to be skied on piste. These skis are quicker from edge to edge and great for carving, park skiing, etc - 95-110 mm
Waist widths in this range are generally used for all mountain skis. Their medium sized waist width makes them versatile, capable of taking the skier on and off piste effectively. - >110 mm
These wide skis are designed for skiing powder and big mountain terrain. Wide skis provide flotation and stability in big mountain terrain but compromise the skiers ability to turn on piste.
Ski length size explained
Ski Length and turning radius based on ability
Turn radius is the shape of a ski determined by its tip, waist, and tail width, usually expressed in meters. The narrower a ski’s waist is in relation to its tip and tail, the shorter the turn radius and therefore the deeper the sidecut. A ski with a deep sidecut (short turn radius) will make quicker turns, while a ski with a subtle sidecut (long turn radius) will turn more slowly and is typically more stable at high speeds. Some modern skis combine two or more radii on a single edge.
 Turning Radius |  Turn Type | Type of Skiing and Skier Ability | Skiing ability |
< 16m | Short | Carving Skis and All-Mountain/Powder Skis with Tapered Tips and Tails | Expert |
17-22m | Medium | All-Mountain Skis, Park & Pipe Skis | Intermediate |
> 22m | Long | Powder & Big-Mountain Skis | Beginner |
Picture in this post by Kipras Ĺ treimikis on Unsplash
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